Egyptian forces kill woman in clashes with Mursi supporters

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Published Friday, April 25, 2014

At least one supporter of Egypt's outlawed Muslim Brotherhood was killed on Friday in clashes with the security forces in Fayoum province, south of Cairo, medical sources said.

A woman, Reda Dahish, died after being hit by birdshot in her stomach. Six other people were injured, the sources said.

AFP reported a second casualty during the clashes, a 52-year-old man who was suffocated by tear gas.

A Reuters witness saw security forces who fired teargas and used birdshot against Brotherhood supporters, who threw rocks and fireworks.

Egypt has faced a surge in violence after the army overthrew President Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July following mass protests against him a year after he was elected.

Mursi's supporters accuse the army of staging a coup while the army says it was siding with the will of the people.

Since Mursi was ousted the government has launched a campaign against the Brotherhood, which it has branded a terrorist organization, arresting thousands of its members including Mursi. More than 1,400 have been killed in clashes, the majority of whom were Mursi supporters..

Attacks by Islamist militants have also killed around 500 people, mostly policemen and soldiers. The Brotherhood has repeatedly condemned such attacks.

Egypt is due to hold a presidential election next month that former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the overthrow of Mursi, is widely expected to win.

Updated 9:45 pm: Egypt's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday he had he quit the military to run for president, in a widely anticipated move almost nine months after he toppled the elected...